Post by dad2paisley on May 2, 2006 12:00:28 GMT -5
By Holly Miyasaki
News Staff Reporter
Apr 30 2006
When his partner’s back is turned, Cpl. Brian Burke tosses a penny into the grass by Penticton Airport.
On command, his dog Brock, nose to the ground, criss-crosses a triangular area looking for the lost coin. As Brock searches frantically for the human-scented penny, the excited bark of a young pup can be heard from the nearby police truck.
The noise comes from Rebel, Brock’s son and eventual successor when his dad retires in a few years.
Burke and Brock — soon to be Burke and Rebel — are one of the two canine teams in Penticton and one of the 120 teams in Canada.
To become a dog handler, Burke spent seven years volunteering his time with the dogs, getting physical tests and recommendations from the training kennel and staffing in Ottawa before working solely with his four-legged partner.
Brock is Burke’s third dog and was acquired by the late Belinda Jones of the Kelowna RCMP detachment.
Prior to coming to the South Okanagan, the crime fighting duo were in North Battleford, Sask. and Prince Rupert on the north coast of B.C.
“It’s a passion that I have,” explained the father of two. “I love police work, I love the outdoors and I love dogs ... I get to do all three at the same time.”
A purebred German shepherd, Brock, works cases with Burke finding evidence, verifying victims’ stories through locating items at crime scenes, searching out narcotics and catching suspects. The two stay together regardless of re-locations and moves; Brock and Burke are nearly joined paw and hand. But with seven-year-old Brock, set to retire in the next few years, Burke has taken on the responsibility of raising his replacement.
Burke requested a pup of the same genetic line as Brock.
“I love not only (Brock’s) physical appearance, but also his work ethic and his ability,” said Burke. “The dog can have the work ethic but if he can’t back it up with strong working ability it’s an ineffective dog.”
Less than a year ago, Rebel, a product of artificial insemination, was born at the Innisvail Police Dog Service Training Centre dog kennels in Alberta, where puppies are reared from birth to be ready for policing by kennel staff.
While he’s a playful, social and a very explorative puppy today, in a few months Burke will begin serious training with Rebel forging a close bond between himself and the dog.
While there’s a possibility Rebel won’t cut it as a police dog, Burke will invest the time and energy raising and training him. It’s best to have a replacement ready to go when Brock trades in his kevlar vest for a regular leash and collar.
While he’s boning up on the tricks of the trade he also has to learn how to deal with everyday interactions with humans and animals.
The police dogs are discouraged from having close relationships and social interactions with anyone but their handlers. The relationship with their partners is a special one as they’re working partners and need to be able to communicate and trust each other.
“If you have a dog that has a strong work ethic (the dog) will ultimately devote their life to you,” he explained. “I mean that in the strongest sense. My first dog was pulled from program because he didn’t ... back me up when he should have. The last dog I worked with and Brock, their loyality and devotion to me is unwavering and its something that if called upon they would ... give up life for me.”
This scenario was demonstrated earlier this year with a Vancouver police dog.
In January, Nitro, a police dog was killed in the line of duty while pursuing a criminal hiding in a train. A funeral service held for the fallen dog was attended by over 700 people and over a dozen dogs just showing the support and love for the police dog.
“The toughest part was having to break the news to my daughter and son,” said Nitro’s partner Const. Howard Rutter in a story about the dog on the Vancouver police’s Web site. “They’ve both known Nitro just about all their lives and were so attached him.”
While Nitro was strongly loved by Rutter and his family there’s a common misconception about police dogs.
What much of the public doesn’t understand, said Burke, is the fact that these trained dogs are very different from family pets.
“He’s not a pet, he’s a working animal, he has a strong work ethic,” said Burke. “So when people that love dogs want to come up and treat him the same they would a golden retreiver by hugging, holding him down and squeezing ... I have to remind people how they should behave around a strange dog.”
Unlike family pets, police dogs are trained to ignore the instinctual call of chasing cats and meeting other dogs.
Even Brock and Rebel don’t spend much time together.
“They are separated both in the truck and at home,” said Burke. “They do get a chance to get out and play once in a while and I just monitor the response that I have with the dog I have right now. In a police dog you want a dog that’s totally indifferent to other animals.”
When he locates the penny, Brock promptly drops to the ground beside it, alerting his partner to his find. He doesn’t touch it because he knows not to contaminate evidence.
Proudly Burke compliments the dog and pats him on the head.
Rebel can still be heard barking, anxiously awaiting his turn.
News Staff Reporter
Apr 30 2006
When his partner’s back is turned, Cpl. Brian Burke tosses a penny into the grass by Penticton Airport.
On command, his dog Brock, nose to the ground, criss-crosses a triangular area looking for the lost coin. As Brock searches frantically for the human-scented penny, the excited bark of a young pup can be heard from the nearby police truck.
The noise comes from Rebel, Brock’s son and eventual successor when his dad retires in a few years.
Burke and Brock — soon to be Burke and Rebel — are one of the two canine teams in Penticton and one of the 120 teams in Canada.
To become a dog handler, Burke spent seven years volunteering his time with the dogs, getting physical tests and recommendations from the training kennel and staffing in Ottawa before working solely with his four-legged partner.
Brock is Burke’s third dog and was acquired by the late Belinda Jones of the Kelowna RCMP detachment.
Prior to coming to the South Okanagan, the crime fighting duo were in North Battleford, Sask. and Prince Rupert on the north coast of B.C.
“It’s a passion that I have,” explained the father of two. “I love police work, I love the outdoors and I love dogs ... I get to do all three at the same time.”
A purebred German shepherd, Brock, works cases with Burke finding evidence, verifying victims’ stories through locating items at crime scenes, searching out narcotics and catching suspects. The two stay together regardless of re-locations and moves; Brock and Burke are nearly joined paw and hand. But with seven-year-old Brock, set to retire in the next few years, Burke has taken on the responsibility of raising his replacement.
Burke requested a pup of the same genetic line as Brock.
“I love not only (Brock’s) physical appearance, but also his work ethic and his ability,” said Burke. “The dog can have the work ethic but if he can’t back it up with strong working ability it’s an ineffective dog.”
Less than a year ago, Rebel, a product of artificial insemination, was born at the Innisvail Police Dog Service Training Centre dog kennels in Alberta, where puppies are reared from birth to be ready for policing by kennel staff.
While he’s a playful, social and a very explorative puppy today, in a few months Burke will begin serious training with Rebel forging a close bond between himself and the dog.
While there’s a possibility Rebel won’t cut it as a police dog, Burke will invest the time and energy raising and training him. It’s best to have a replacement ready to go when Brock trades in his kevlar vest for a regular leash and collar.
While he’s boning up on the tricks of the trade he also has to learn how to deal with everyday interactions with humans and animals.
The police dogs are discouraged from having close relationships and social interactions with anyone but their handlers. The relationship with their partners is a special one as they’re working partners and need to be able to communicate and trust each other.
“If you have a dog that has a strong work ethic (the dog) will ultimately devote their life to you,” he explained. “I mean that in the strongest sense. My first dog was pulled from program because he didn’t ... back me up when he should have. The last dog I worked with and Brock, their loyality and devotion to me is unwavering and its something that if called upon they would ... give up life for me.”
This scenario was demonstrated earlier this year with a Vancouver police dog.
In January, Nitro, a police dog was killed in the line of duty while pursuing a criminal hiding in a train. A funeral service held for the fallen dog was attended by over 700 people and over a dozen dogs just showing the support and love for the police dog.
“The toughest part was having to break the news to my daughter and son,” said Nitro’s partner Const. Howard Rutter in a story about the dog on the Vancouver police’s Web site. “They’ve both known Nitro just about all their lives and were so attached him.”
While Nitro was strongly loved by Rutter and his family there’s a common misconception about police dogs.
What much of the public doesn’t understand, said Burke, is the fact that these trained dogs are very different from family pets.
“He’s not a pet, he’s a working animal, he has a strong work ethic,” said Burke. “So when people that love dogs want to come up and treat him the same they would a golden retreiver by hugging, holding him down and squeezing ... I have to remind people how they should behave around a strange dog.”
Unlike family pets, police dogs are trained to ignore the instinctual call of chasing cats and meeting other dogs.
Even Brock and Rebel don’t spend much time together.
“They are separated both in the truck and at home,” said Burke. “They do get a chance to get out and play once in a while and I just monitor the response that I have with the dog I have right now. In a police dog you want a dog that’s totally indifferent to other animals.”
When he locates the penny, Brock promptly drops to the ground beside it, alerting his partner to his find. He doesn’t touch it because he knows not to contaminate evidence.
Proudly Burke compliments the dog and pats him on the head.
Rebel can still be heard barking, anxiously awaiting his turn.
